Visitors get look at high-end technology

Photo courtesy of Teledyne Scientific and Imaging
Tom Sprafke, senior scientist, performs cryogenic testing on the James Webb Space Telescope's fine guidance sensor. The telescope will be launched in 2013.

Teledyne Imaging Sensors in Camarillo opened up a little over the weekend by providing a rare glimpse at high-end technology used for sophisticated missions such as the Hubble Space Telescope.

The company held an open house for employees' families and friends to show off everything from its cleanrooms, where complex semiconductor parts are created, to its work on an unmanned vehicle in the United States government's Urban Challenge competition.

Children — and adults — played with light and watched a show demonstrating chemical reactions.

It was a layman-friendly way to display what the company does, said Kadri Vural, vice president and general manager of Teledyne Imaging Sensors.

The company has a long history in Ventura County, previously as Rockwell Scientific Co.

Teledyne Technologies Inc. acquired Rockwell in September 2006 for $167.5 million in cash. At the time, Rockwell employed 427 people in Ventura County.

Teledyne is now headquartered in Thousand Oaks.

What was Rockwell Scientific is now Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, which combines the research and development at Teledyne Scientific Co. in Thousand Oaks and the work at Teledyne Imaging Sensors in Camarillo.

The Camarillo facility designs and produces imaging sensors for astronomy and defense. It also creates military laser eye protection.

Most of the work is for the federal government, although the company also does commercial work.

"We are doing the same things we used to do," Vural said.

During the open house, Alex Moffatt talked with people about the company's work. Moffatt said the purpose of a research shop that he manages is to convert scientists' ideas into something concrete.

An idea "can come in as a very elaborate drawing or come in on a napkin," he said. The research shop employees talk through an idea, such as which materials to use.

"Our mission is to get ideas into a testable reality as fast as possible," he said.

Nearby, the people in quality control discussed how something as simple as soldering has to be done to precise specifications, particularly if a product is going to be sent into space.

One exciting area of business is astronomy. Vural said the company's sensors are circling Mars looking for water, while others are on their way to Pluto.

Work on telescopes

The company also will be involved in October's repair mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, as well as working on the James Webb Space Telescope, to be launched in 2013.

The Webb telescope is expected to look back in time toward the Big Bang.

The telescope will be fitted with "the world's most sensitive sensors," Vural said.

On Saturday, one room of the Camarillo facility was filled with images, models and educational information about the Webb and Hubble telescopes. A replica of the camera going on the Hubble sat on one table, and scale models of the two space telescopes were on nearby displays. Visitors were offered packets to create their own paper models at home.

Craig Cabelli, a space engineer, spoke about the company's work with NASA.

Cabelli said the Webb telescope includes three infrared cameras manufactured by Teledyne. He joked that it would be the most sensitive telescope, not in the world, but out of it. The telescope will orbit 1 million miles from Earth.

Because of the distance, it is vital that the technology on board be flawless.

"If it has any problems, there's nothing you can do at that point," he said. "You can't send anyone out there."

The telescope will use light to gather information about the chemical composition of the universe.

In another room, visitors got a chance to see how breaking light into colored bands along a spectrum can identify different elements.

As James Beletic, director of astronomy and civil space, flipped on tubes of hydrogen, helium, nitrogen and neon, kids and adults held squares of plastic to their eyes that showed the different lines.

"Every element in the universe has a fingerprint," Beletic told the crowd.

We keep growing'

He noted that his mission Saturday was to explain light and how it's used so that people can better understand the role that the company's sensors play in science and defense.

Of Teledyne, he said: "This is a great employer. We keep growing."

In 2005, the imaging business was extended from its 65,000-square-foot building to a nearby 22,000-square-foot building in Camarillo. With the second building now full, the company is looking to expand further, Vural said.

"Teledyne has been extremely active in supporting us, investing in us and helping us grow," Vural said.

Teledyne Scientific & Imaging employs 450 people in Ventura County, including 225 at Teledyne Imaging Sensors in Camarillo. On top of those numbers, there are 30 employees in the Teledyne Technologies Inc. corporate operations in Thousand Oaks.

The company also is growing through acquisitions.

In February, Teledyne Scientific & Imaging completed the acquisition of Judson Technologies LLC, a Pennsylvania company. Judson designs and manufactures infrared detectors and accessory products used in military, industrial, space and scientific applications. The company had sales of $13.8 million in 2006.

Vural said the company bought Judson because it had a broad product line and expanded Teledyne's reach by bringing in new capabilities and materials. He added that the company continues to look for acquisitions that complement its existing business.